With many Americans making New Year's resolutions to feel better and avoid burnout in 2015, a new national survey revealed that "New Jersey is ranked the 8th and "New York is ranked the #21 "Most 'Emotionally Recharged' U.S. states for 2015, according to the Lantern Emotional Balance Index." To create this ranking, Lantern [www.golantern.com] -- a groundbreaking online and mobile tool for evaluating your mind health -- surveyed 3,000 Americans to determine how frequently respondents are taking action to renew, refresh, and recharge their emotional well-being. Based on a survey period from Dec. 26 to Jan. 9, more "emotionally recharged" U.S. states have residents who regularly learn something new, share a moment of closeness with a loved one, have a meaningful conversation with a friend, do a good deed for someone else, or engage in other activities that help them truly rest, recharge, and unwind: *** The Lantern Emotional Balance Index *** The Top 25 Most 'Emotionally Recharged' U.S. States for 2015 #1: New Hampshire (75% of residents are emotionally recharged) #2: Indiana (73%) #3: Louisiana (71%) #4: Kansas (69%) #5: Arkansas (68%) #6: Nevada (67%) #7: Georgia (66%) #8: New Jersey (65%) #9: Rhode Island (65%) #10: Oklahoma (65%) #11: Maine (64%) #12: Maryland (64%) #13: South Carolina (63%) #14: Florida (62%) #15: Connecticut (61%) #16: Michigan (61%) #17: Virginia (60%) #18: Oregon (60%) #19: Colorado (59%) #20: Mississippi (59%) #21: New York (58%) #22: Illinois (58%) #23: Kentucky (58%) #24: Iowa (58%) #25: Tennessee (57%) NOTE: Shown in parentheses are the average number of state residents who have engaged in emotionally recharging activities within the past two weeks. The Top 25 Least 'Emotionally Recharged' States for 2015 #1: Utah (40% of residents are emotionally recharged) #2: Texas (41%) #3: Alaska (42%) #4: Arizona (43%) #5: South Dakota (43%) #6: Wyoming (44%) #7: Massachusetts (44%) #8: Washington (45%) #9: Nebraska (46%) #10: Vermont (46%) #11: Alabama (46%) #12: Delaware (47%) #13: New Mexico (49%) #14: Hawaii (49%) #15: Montana (50%) #16: West Virginia (50%) #17: Missouri (51%) #18: North Dakota (51%) #19: Pennsylvania (52%) #20: North Carolina (52%) #21: Minnesota (53%) #22: Idaho (53%) #23: Wisconsin (54%) #24: Ohio (54%) #25: California (55%) For residents of any state who are not feeling as emotionally recharged as they would like, Lantern [www.golantern.com] offers a free online assessment that evaluates your overall emotional well-being, tells you where you need to improve, and then matches you up with a trained professional to guide you through personalized daily exercises on your smartphone. For more details on these fascinating survey results as well as the life-changing Lantern app, I'm happy to arrange an interview with Lantern CEO Alejandro Foung -- an expert in using advanced technology to support mental health. Alejandro is available for in-person (San Francisco and New York), phone, email, and Skype interviews from Jan. 20 to Jan. 30. Also, if you're interested in a guest article or blog post from Alejandro on the survey results and how technological tools can help reduce stress and anxiety, please let me know as well.

The post The Top 25 Most ‘Emotionally Recharged’ U.S. States for 2015- New Jersey Ranked 8th, New York Ranked 21st first appeared on River View Observer.

On the morning of the 9/11 attack, Jersey City photographer Sandra Swieder grabbed her camera and notebook and headed to the waterfront where she captured the heroic rescue and recovery efforts of firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, EMTs and other volunteers. In the days and months that followed, Swieder continued to photograph and collect stories from survivors, witnesses and emergency responders this side of the Hudson.

 On Sept. 1 and running through Sept. 15, Art House Productions, a non-profit organization committed to the development and presentation of performing and visual arts in Jersey City presents “From Across the River,” a photography exhibition by Swieder that captures the events of September 11th from the New Jersey perspective.

 “With the tenth anniversary coming up, we thought it was a very important story to tell,” Arthouse Productions’ Executive Director Christine Goodman says. “Some people say ‘who wants to relive these images? But Sandra’s photographs have hope, too. What Sandra’s done is document the people and their stories and the real strength of the everyday individuals who rose up that day.”

On the morning of September 11, 2001, after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Hudson County’s waterfront became the hub for emergency personnel, volunteers and over 200,000 survivors who were ferried from lower Manhattan to the Jersey waterfront. When they arrived on the Jersey side – in Hoboken and Jersey City – thousands were decontaminated and triaged, some were hospitalized and given shelter.

That waterfront triage in Jersey City became a five-block radius of emergency personnel, volunteers and family members and the staging area at Exchange Place turned into a lifeline to “Ground Zero.” Swieder, with her camera and notebook, documented the events. She established relationships with key emergency personnel, collected their stories and created a historical record of images and personal accounts and put it all together in “From Across the River.” The exhibit consists of photography and interviews of First Responders, with approximately thirty images ranging from 11×14 to 6 ft. Images have been produced on a number of different mediums such as Plexiglas, canvas and photographic paper. The exhibition will also include a memorial sculpture of reclaimed steel from Ground Zero by artist Matt Johnson.

“It is extremely important to preserve the history of events that transpired on the Jersey side,” Swieder says. “This project illustrates what took place along the Hudson River and how New Jersey responded to the immediate needs of lower Manhattan that Tuesday morning and in the days, weeks and months following.”

Goodman says “From Across the River,” is a powerful exhibition but absolutely essential to our culture and history.

 “It’s preserving the history of what happened on the Hudson River that day and how our New Jersey community came together with New York,” Goodman says, “and how our emergency responders, our citizens, police officers, firefighters and everyday people rose up in this time of need. The work is powerful. It’s preserving our history and honoring these people. Sandra’s work is about healing and community.”

 Funding for “From Across the River” is by Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise, the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs & Heritage/Tourism Development.  The exhibit will be up for two weeks at Arthouse Productions and then moved to the Brennan Courthouse where it will be installed for the public to view in the Theodore Conrad Rotunda from Sept. 22 through Oct.14.

 .”It’s not only about us, it’s much bigger,” Swieder says. “My intentions are for it to travel. I think people really need to understand what happened that day. My energies are positive. I’m a single mom with a three year-old. How do I tell the future generations what happened that day? What images do they have of the firemen, the twisted metal and the dust-covered buildings? This is a different perspective. I tried to capture the beauty and the unity of the people that day. Maybe this can bring some closure, some healing. People can look at the worst day of American history in a different light.”

Now to Sept.15th

From Across the River

Art House Productions
One McWilliams Place
(Housed in the former St. Francis Hospital Building, SE corner of Hamilton Park)
Jersey City, NJ

For more info or to schedule a viewing appointment, call (201) 915-9911 or email info@arthouseproductions.org.
Opening reception: Thurs, Sept 1, 7-10 p.m. 

Gallery Open:  Sept. 9^th, 7-9 p.m.

Closing reception: Sept 15, 7-9 p.m.

Additional viewings by appointment; to schedule a visit call 201-915-911

 

Special Anniversary Gallery Openings
Sat. and Sun, Sept. 10 and 11, 12-6 p.m.

The post From Across the River: Images and Reflections of September 11th from the Jersey Side first appeared on River View Observer.

Playing a Comedic Bombshell with a Grown Up Harry Potter

 By Sally Deering

 Harry Potter’s all grown up and nobody knows that better than Emmy-winning actress Tammy Blanchard of Bayonne who shows off her comic side as a ditsy bombshell trying to seduce Daniel Radcliffe eight shows a week in the Broadway revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”  Known to audiences for playing dramatic roles in “Rabbit Hole” with Nicole Kidman and “Sybil” with Jessica Lange (among others) Blanchard turns to her comedic instincts and pulls out all the stops as a Broadway comedienne.

Blanchard’s repertoire of serious Broadway, TV and film roles includes  an Emmy Award winning performance as young Judy Garland in “Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows,” and a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut as Louise in “Gypsy” opposite Bernadette Peters. She played an unstable young woman trying to find herself in “Bella” and her portrayal of the title role in the remake of “Sybil” with Jessica Lange is so emotionally searing, she rips the heart right out of your chest.

On Broadway, Blanchard gives a comic turn in her role as Hedy LaRue, a bubble-headed knockout that’s garnering big laughs from audiences eating up her performance night after night. (The show opened on Broadway March 27^th.) Blanchard shares the stage with Radcliffe – even has to sit on his lap and seduce the former Wizard of Potterville – and John Larroquette, the four-time Emmy Award winner of TVs “Night Court.” Playing with these two heavy-hitters is absolutely delish, Blanchard says.

“Daniel is a doll,” Blanchard says, on a Saturday afternoon during her dinner break between matinee and evening performances. “He’s a pro, a gentleman and so talented. We’re lucky to have him.”

Blanchard also gets to kiss Harry Potter eight shows a week, which is enough to make Potter fans drool on their invisible capes. Blanchard says after every performance Radcliffe’s fans wait outside the Stage Door for a glimpse of the famous wizard. And when they see Radcliffe appear, it’s pandemonium with Potter fans going goo-goo ga-ga over their fictional hero.

“He has some hard-core fans,” Blanchard says.

And working with Larroquette, who is making his Broadway debut and displays hilarious comic chops both on and off stage makes Blanchard as giddy as bubbles in champagne.

“John throws one-liners at you all the time,” Blanchard says. “He’s so funny. He’s both a star and a great human being. I just love him.”

Blanchard’s learned a lot about playing comedy on stage, which is very different from playing drama before the camera, she says. Timing is everything when you’re doing comedy in front of a live audience. “When I’m on stage, if I take a second too long (during a laugh line) it goes flat,” she says.

Directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” stars Larroquette as J.B. Biggley, president of the World Wide Wicket company and Radcliffe as J. Pierrepont Finch, a window cleaner whose dream of moving up the corporate ladder is inspired by a book he’s reading, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” (which is voiced throughout the musical by Anderson Cooper of CNN.) When Blanchard as Hedy La Rue is hired as a new secretary, the world of World Wide Wicket goes wonky with office romances going awry and Finch tediously dangling from the corporate ladder’s top rung. But just like all musical comedies of its genre, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” succeeds in giving audiences a happy ending with lots of singing and dancing.

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” originally opened on Broadway in 1961 with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and libretto by Abe Burrow, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert who based the story on the1952 book by Shephard Mead. Some of the songs became big hits like, “I Believe in You,” and “Brotherhood of Men,” and in 1962, “How to Succeed…” won seven Tony Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award and the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.  It was revived in 1995 with Matthew Broderick as Finch, which earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

Blanchard was invited to audition by two of the producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who she describes as her heroes. Zadan and Meron worked with Blanchard when they produced “Life with Judy Garland” and have since gone on to produce blockbuster movie musicals “Chicago” and “Hairspray.” Currently, the producing team is working with Steven Spielberg on a new NBC television drama, “Smash” about the making of a Broadway musical.

Hesitant to audition, but up for the challenge, Blanchard says she drove to the audition in Manhattan and experimented with voices for the La Rue character in her car. When she discovered the voice, something clicked, she says. She auditioned, landed the role and now she gets to show her comic side eight shows a week at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway.

“It’s so much fun,” Blanchard says. “It’s such a great musical comedy and I’m having the time of my life.”

“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Hirschfeld Theatre

302 W. 45^th Street

New York

For Tickets:  Call Telecharge at 212-239-6200

Note:  A limited number of General Rush Tickets are available for $30 each on the day of the performance.

They are available at the box only beginning at 10 am.

The post Emmy-Winner Tammy Blanchard shows her Funny Side with Daniel Radcliffe in Hit Broadway Musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” first appeared on River View Observer.

 Trump Plaza Residences Jersey City, the exquisite residential tower located on New Jersey’s prestigious Gold Coast, is celebrating a successful summer of stellar sales and building enhancements as it looks forward to exciting events in the coming new year.

Sales at the luxury condominium at 88 Morgan St. have greatly exceeded expectations, with approximately 50 homes having sold since January of this year. About 20 residences sold during the summer months, which is typically a slow time for real estate sales.

 

“The extraordinary sales volume is evidence of the appeal of Trump Plaza Residences Jersey City and its great value,” said Jodi Stasse, director of marketing and sales. “A resident can enjoy a real metropolitan lifestyle here — with access to every luxury amenity they can imagine, as well as a full-service concierge — at advantageous pricing with low interest rates!”

The 55-story building, New Jersey’s tallest residential tower, offers beautiful one-, two- and three-bedroom residences of up to 1,599 square feet. One-bedroom homes start in the mid-$400,000s and two-bedroom homes start in the mid-$600,000s. Penthouses and three-bedroom homes are also available, but are in limited supply. A 20-year tax abatement for the residential tower translates to reduced property taxes.

In addition to the inherent appeal of the luxury building, Stasse attributed the volume of sales to a new marketing campaign for the building, launched earlier in the year, which introduced new advertising and communication materials including the sleek new property website, www.trumpplazaresidences.com.

Referrals from residents have been another huge part of the building’s sales success.

“The residents here take pride in the community they have formed together. They’re always looking forward to seeing new neighbors in the building and they want to contribute to the success here,” said Stasse. “They appreciate the rate at which they’ve seen the building fill up and they have a desire to share this lifestyle with the people closest to them.”

Another bonus for residents is the elite TRUMP CARD Privileges Program presented by the Trump Hotel Collection, which entitles them to special offers, personal services and added benefits at any Trump Hotel Collection property in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Hawaii. Future Trump Hotel Collection properties that members can look forward to visiting include those in New Orleans, Panama, Toronto, Cap Cana, Dubai and Scotland.

The summer also brought a special treat in the form of the building’s lighted rooftop crown, which was installed in August. The bright purple lighting, striking against the night sky, added the final touch to the enhancements that took place this year including a new front entrance, remodeled lobby and embellished pool and outdoor lawn seating areas.

On-site conveniences are also coming soon with the arrival in early 2011 of ROAR Dental and Elegant Nails and Spa, as well as the highly anticipated opening of buon Italia gourmet Italian market, originally of Chelsea Market fame in New York City.

Buon Italia will offer imported groceries; meat and seafood counters; prepared foods and specialty products, including fresh cheeses, pastas and charcuterie; a combination espresso bar, gelato bar, pasty shop and wine bar; and generous indoor and outdoor café seating.

“Having buon Italia set up shop right at our front door is an incredible convenience for residents and an extension of the amazing amenities that are offered at Trump Plaza Residences,” said Stasse. “Plus, it will instantly turn the neighborhood into a destination spot.”

Trump Plaza Residences is appreciated by residents for its impressive amenities and unparalleled service. The lavish 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities and well-known Trump 24/7 concierge service are luxury hallmarks of the elegant property and the Trump brand.

A sampling of the amenities includes a screening room; game room; Roman-style aqua grotto; in-house spa; heated pool with cabanas; and an impressive glass-enclosed fitness center.

The building’s thoughtfully designed homes features elegant, contemporary design elements and custom oversized windows that open out to sweeping views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

The proximity of Trump Plaza Residences Jersey City to Manhattan and the rest of the Gold Coast, as well as its convenient location near the Exchange Place and Grove Street PATH stations, the waterfront ferry and the Bergen-Hudson Light Rail, makes for easy commuting and uncomplicated travel.

For more information on Trump Plaza Residences Jersey City, visit the on-site sales suite, which is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 88 Morgan St. in Jersey City. Morning and evening hours are available by appointment. Contact the sales and marketing team by calling (888) 263-7003, e-mailing info@trumpplazaresidences.com or visiting the website at www.trumpplazaresidences.com.

To learn more about the TRUMP CARD Privileges Program, visit www.TrumpHotelCollection.com/TRUMPCARD. For more information on buon Italia gourmet Italian market, visit www.buonitalia.com

Follow us on twitter: @TrumpJerseyCity
Facebook link: facebook.com/TrumpPlazaResidJerseyCity
-or- Search for us on Facebook: Trump Plaza Residences Jersey City

###

The post Real Estate Views-Trump Plaza Residences Jersey City Looks Ahead After A Summer Of Success first appeared on River View Observer.

by Sally Deering

 

Dave  and his sister Anne Marie carved a niche on Grove Street with their handsome little restaurant, The Merchant, where the bar is cozy, the drinks are yummy and the food is All-American delish! It’s a great place to go for a business luncheon, watch a game or hang out with your friends and talk about life.

 Dave and Anne Marie decided to try something a little more upscale and 2-1/2 years ago they opened The Embankment, a beautiful fine-dining restaurant nestled in the heart of 10^th Street in the Hamilton Park neighborhood, where friendly neighbors drop by for brunch, dinner and drinks with friends.

 

 

A truly beautiful restaurant, The Embankment is a jewel in Jersey City’s crown with a warm and inviting dining room that seats 80-100. It’s a wonderful place for private parties, wedding receptions, christenings and corporate functions where corporate heads want to show their employees some class. There’s a sexy upstairs lounge, too, with low-lighting and cozy seating for 40. It’s best to get a reservation, Dave O’Brian says, because on Friday and Saturday nights the upstairs lounge is always booked.

 

The Embankment’s elegance is reflected in the menu – American-style dishes with added flavors that are a little bit French, a little bit Italian and a touch of Mediterranean. For entrees, how about Fried Catfish with Cajun Fries or a Rib-Eye Steak with mashed potatoes and mushrooms? For pasta lovers, you might try the homemade fettuccini primavera – that’s right, they make their own pasta! (Appetizers range from $6-$12; entrees from $18- $26.)

 

For an assortment of different flavors, you might like the Tapas – mini servings of flavorful dishes like marinated artichokes, mushrooms and olives. The Embankment offers 12-15 Tapas to choose from. For light eaters, a cheese plate with five different types of cheeses will definitely satisfy the palate and go beautifully with their vast array of wines from affordable to high-end. The O’Brian siblings also serve a large assortment of beer including cold draft beers – including Guinness, of course!

 

And then, of course, there are the burgers!  In 2009, “New” magazine cited The Embankment’s burger as No. 1 in Jersey City. The secret?

 

“We use high-quality ground beef, well-seasoned and cooked to perfection,” O’Brian says. “It’s simple, but it’s the best.”

 

The Embankment

234 10^th Street

Jersey City

201-222-6115

www.theembankmentnj.com

 

The post Dining Out – The Embankment Restaurant in Jersey City first appeared on River View Observer.

Directed by CHRISTINE DALZELL   Featuring:

JAMIE EFFROS
J MICHAEL POLICASTRO
PAULINE WALSH
BRANAN WHITEHEAD
 

  Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sunday matinees at 3 pm and Thursday September 30th at 7 pm.

In this American classic, sons of a desert dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a film script. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has already sold when Lee, his demented petty thief brother, drops in. “A masterwork – tells us a truth, as glimpsed by a genius.” -New York Post
This play contains adult themes and language.

$20.00 general admission, $15 students and seniors. Group rates are also available.

The Attic Ensemble is located just two blocks from the Grove Street PATH Station, in the Historic Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne Street, Jersey City. There is free parking after 7 p.m. in the parking lot 1 ½ blocks away on Christopher Columbus Drive. For reservations, directions and further information: www.atticensemble.org; phone (201) 413-9200, e-mail: info@atticensemble.org.

Tickets can be charged online at

Cash and checks are accepted at the box office. Jersey Arts Cards are accepted for discounted ticket pricing. The Barrow Mansion is handicapped accessible and barrier free. Large print program available upon request; please call one week in advance to arrange for a large print program. Assisted listening devices will be available for the Thursday September 30th 7 p.m. performance. Please call one week in advance to request a device.

The post Sam Shephard’s “True West” presented by Jersey City’s Attic Ensemble first appeared on River View Observer.

River View Observer Photographer Captures the Event on Camera

On Saturday, May 15th The Village Neighborhood Association, with the support of 4th Street Arts,  hosted The 2nd Annual Village Art & Flea Market. A few thousand people came out to shop and mingle…

Taking place at the crossroads of 4th Street, Newark Avenue and Brunswick Street, the event featured an array of local artists†works, the finest up-and-coming bands New Jersey has to offer, and delicious food from local vendors.

See more photos of the day…

The post The 2nd Annual Village Art & Flea Market Held on Saturday May 15th Brings Out Huge Crowd first appeared on River View Observer.

JERSEY CITY, NJ – As America prepares to observe Memorial Day and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation, The Provident Bank is partnering with Operation XO to send much-needed care packages to our troops serving in remote locations in Iraq and Afghanistan. From May 21 to June 8, each of Provident’s 80 plus branches will collect donations of toiletries, snacks and other in-demand items.

Operation XO is a nonprofit organization – started by two Army wives, Heather McKnight Hamilton and Amanda Riker – that provides basic items, including non-perishable single-serve meals and toiletries, to troops stationed in hard-to-reach areas. Amanda’s mother, Doreen Noonan, is a commercial loan coordinator at Provident and suggested that the bank serve as a donation site. Noonan’s husband is also currently serving overseas.

“Thousands of troops stationed in remote locations and combat zones have limited or no access to basic items, like deodorant and sun block. The military can only supply so much,” said Noonan. “Some don’t even have access to running water – something we take for granted every day. With help from the community, Operation XO will send packages of snacks, toiletries and other necessities to our troops to help improve their quality of life.”

In addition to branches serving as drop-off locations, Provident will cover the shipping costs for the first 100 packages collected.

Richard Vaill, business development officer at Provident, served on active duty as a Logistics Officer with the 2nd Marine Division in Desert Storm, and said receiving packages from “home” is always deeply appreciated.

“Care packages help bring some of the comforts of home to our troops. It’s important for us to let them know that we’re thinking of them and appreciate their service,” said Vaill. “These small items can make a big difference. What better time to show our support than in the spirit of Memorial Day?”

For a list of items to donate, visit www.operationxo.org and click on Get Involved. To find a Provident branch location, visit www.ProvidentNJ.com or call 800-448-PROV (7768).

About The Provident Bank

With $4.9 billion in deposits, The Provident Bank (www.providentnj.com) serves its customers via a network of more than 80 branches throughout northern and central New Jersey. The Provident Bank is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS), which reported assets of $6.8 billion as of March 31, 2010.

The post Provident Serves as Temporary Outpost for “Operation XO” first appeared on River View Observer.